Whoever thought that spider venom could could be the answer for erectile dysfunction, however, emergency room visits in Brazil with victims of spider bites displaying priapism, or unrelenting and painful erections, got doctors thinking.

Some research has led to the isolation of an alternative way to help men attain and sustain an erection.

Viagra, Levitra and other ED drugs on the market work by inhibiting an enzyme called PDE5. To get an erection, a man’s body must release nitric oxide, which relaxes the smooth muscle around the arteries of the penis, allowing for his blood vessels to dilate.

The nitric oxide is a first step in a series of chemical reactions that allow this muscle relaxation to take place. One step in the series is cGMP, a signaling molecule that acts to keep the muscles relaxed. PDE5 degrades cGMP. That’s a good thing for ensuring that erections don’t last forever, but too much PDE5 can mean an erection doesn’t happen at all. By blocking the enzyme, PDE5 inhibitors solve the problem.

The spider toxin works differently. Instead of affecting PDE5, the compound seems to trigger nitric oxide release, acting directly to relax the smooth muscles. Because about 30 percent of patients don’t respond to PDE5 inhibitors, the toxin could provide an alternative to ED treatments currently on the market, Nunes said.

One of the most embarrassing health issues that men have to deal with is erectile dysfunction. Many men who are affected are hesitant to even discuss the issue with their doctors. While there are medications like Levitra to deal with the problem, there is a growing body of opinion that suggests that nutritional supplements like whey protein are effective in handling the condition. Because whey protein is a food and not a medication, it is relatively harmless and has few side effects.

Whey protein is a pure and natural protein made from cow?s milk. It is the liquid that is left over after milk has coagulated into cheese and contains all the soluble proteins in milk. It is, therefore, a rich collection of the amino acids that we require in our daily life. It comes in three forms:

-concentrate: contain low levels of fat and cholesterol but high levels of bio active chemicals.

-isolate: the protein is processed to remove fat and lactose but is slightly lower on bio active chemicals.

-Hydrolysates: these are partly predigested proteins that are easier to digest and less likely to cause allergies. These are also more expensive.

Whey protein has been found to have beneficial effects in a number of areas such as sports nutrition, weight management and the general well-being of the body. It has also been found to increase the blood circulation through all body muscles including the penis. Since erectile dysfunction is often caused by inadequate blood flow to the penis, whey protein can help. The penile erection is caused by increased blood flow that causes the arteries to expand. This in turn constricts the veins and restricts the blood flow out of the penis thus causing an erection. Anything that increases the blood flow is useful. Besides, the improvement in general well-being caused by the intake of whey protein also contributes to sexual health.

Whey protein is best used in conjunction with an exercise programme. Though it is a food and relatively harmless, don’t make the mistake of consuming too much. If you are in doubt, consult a specialist on a doctor, especially if you have any form of existing illness.

A study published in the British Medical Journal (1997 Dec.) examined the relationship between frequency of orgasm and mortality. 918 men between the ages of 45 and 59 at the time of recruitment were involved in this cohort study with a ten year follow-up. Researchers found the mortality risk was 50% lower in men with high frequency of orgasm than in men with low frequency. There was evidence of a dose related response. This inverse relationship between orgasm and mortality has been seen n several other studies.

One thing is for sure, there is no risk of overdose for men or women. Although men can injure themselves having too much sex, especially if they use drugs like Viagra. This and similar erectile dysfunction drugs allow men to have more staying power during sexual sessions. This in itself is a double edged sword. Although better staying power is always desirable, having too frequent, or having erections that last too long can result in permanent damage to your johnson.

When Viagra hit the scene it was like a miracle drug for men suffering from erectile dysfunction. Men who were unable to achieve or maintain an erection due to medical issues were now able to due so. This tiny little blue pill not only gives many men their sex life back, it consequently boosts their self esteem. One of the biggest complaints men have, however, is that sex cannot be spontaneous. Sex must coincide with taking a pill.

Well, a new treatment is on the horizon that unlike lasting for several hours like Viagra, will last for months. This is the biggest attraction of the drug, you only need 2 injections a year. Lead researcher Arnold Melman says the initial research proves that this is a safe and effective treatment for male impotence.